Misfits with Cameras

Sunday, March 24, 2013

As some of you have already seen by our announcement on the Facebook page, we have secured a new place to show our work and get together at the Famous Neon’s Unplugged.

It’s located just off Main Street at 208 E 12th in Over-The-Rhine. There is a parking lot right next door and ½ a block away is a 7 story parking garage that has security. They have one hell of a great selection of beer, tons of uniques. Right now we’re not sure how many folks could show in one night but we are figuring between 4 and 6. Our hang up method will be similar to how we did at Arnold’s. What’s different about set up is we will not have to take down immediately, so your work can stay on display for up to a month, but remember Neon’s is not responsible for any damage that could occur to any displayed work, they are a bar after all. The interior is similar to Arnold's; two stories, shotgun design.The walls downstairs are brick, and upstairs they are brick on one side and wallpapered on the other. We would be showing on both floors. There’s also a huge courtyard and I’ll get to that later.

At this time neither Lisa nor I are up for having a monthly show, and we’ve yet to decide how we’re going to proceed, it could be every two months or three or even quarterly but no matter what we decide, there are some other cool options on the table for us. First up, there is Final Friday, which is an art-driven event where all the galleries on Main open up for the evening, folks drink some tasty beverages and view the artwork, we could tag on to one of these evenings and members could feature their work at Neon's as part of the event. Another opportunity available is 2ndSundays on Main so that could turn out to be really awesome. We can just put a sign up at Main pointing to Neon’s advertising“Photography show.”

Now for the courtyard, it’s flipping massive.So massive that several of us could set up during a summer day/evening.It’s surrounded by the walls of an old apartment building, and they are one story tall with random openings here and there.

We plan on having a get together on Saturday May 4th, to show everyone around and so everyone can get a feel for the place; not to mention we miss hanging out with everyone. Anyone in the group and their friends are invited and we will make an event on the group Facebook page with more details as it gets closer.

Once again, we want to express undying love and gratitude to Ronda Breeden and Chris, who for three years were so amazing to let us show at Arnold's! And we would also like to thank Chris specifically, because he is the one who got us in contact with John Back, owner of Neon's and Neon's manager Jeremy Moore. They are two really great guys and I think the shows at Neon's are going to be just as fantastic as they were at Arnold's~

Here's a link to their Facebook page and once again hope to see you all in May, we are really excited about the new shows and can't wait to get everyone's opinions and answer any other questions you may have.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

As many of us know, without Capture Cincinnati, Misfits With Cameras wouldn’t exist as we were founded originally as Club Blatz during the 2009 contest. Due to how awesome everyone who joined the group was and how close we became during the event we decided to continue as a Cincinnati photography club. After a 2 ½ year hiatus Capture Cincinnati is back, leaving some puzzled, some skeptical, some joyous and some angry. I’ve received a lot of emails asking me what’s up and for the most part I really couldn’t answer any of them without a lot of speculation, until now.

The reason that Capture Cincinnati re-started was for two reasons, a) to capitalize on the world attention the World Choir Games was going to generate towards Cincinnati and b) to create local community for photographers to display and share their work, similar to Capture My Chicago. The only book in 2012 that Capture Cincinnati has planned to publish is a World Choir Games book. There are no plans to publish a book on the scale of all the categories featured on the website, which in my opinion they are missing out on some serious money and attention. It is apparent that Capture Cincinnati is going to run indefinitely, why everyone is having to vote for all these photos is a mystery to me, but that is the way that Capture My Chicago is set up and they didn’t have a book last year.

Many of you noticed in the beginning that there was a limit to the number of submissions in one week and then suddenly that was gone and photos of the Choir Games filled the pool. That is because they lifted the submission limit for the Choir Games contest. So, what is the motivation to continue to participate on the website?
Well, if you don’t like viewing and voting on the Choir Games photographs, just be sure to follow who you’ve followed or vote by category, staying out of the Choir Games based categories, like “Music”, “Celebrations,” and the like. Now, there is a community there and you are getting exposure. One of the things I like about it is I get to see work from Misfits and other folks that I’ve not seen before. I get to comment on their work and “favorite” it and I get to interact with local photographers in a local file sharing atmosphere. Besides that, any photographer can set up their account for people to purchase images and it seems to me the 3rd party cost is very reasonable for both the purchaser and the seller. Then there’s also the daily featured photo and the individual and photography awards that are handed out. Weather or not this is enough to keep people motivated to continue to participate without the guarantee of a possibility of getting published is something only time will tell. But you have to admit, sometimes it’s really fun.

In conclusion, I’m going to post a response from Chris, an admin of the Capture Cincinnati site to Misfits member Nancie Smith who contacted them with some questions…

“Subject: Re: Limitation on number of photos you can submit in a 7 day rolling period -- Capture Cincinnati Contact Form

Nancie, The 2012 book is a book about the 2012 World Choir Games. If you don't care for World Choir Games photos, you won't care for the book, unfortunately. Now that the World Choir Games challenge is over, other subjects will start to dominate again. We hope to publish a broad-subject Capture Cincinnati book or calendar in 2013.
Thanks,
Chris”

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Saturday, June 9, 2012

The charismatic daughter of our charismatic leader of the MWC, Emily answers some questions posed to her by her father, Bill Fultz. She will be showing her work Saturday night at Arnold's.

1. You've been interested in art all your life, what is your favorite form of art?

I am still trying to figure out my medium. I like tangible things like sculpture and ceramics, but right now what is speaking to me the most is photography.

2. Currently you are interning at the art gallery, Art Beyond Boundaries for college, what is it teaching you for your ultimate goal after you graduate?

I have learned a lot about what it takes to run a gallery. I have learned the appropriate ways to guide viewers through pictures. I have even learned the ins and outs of hanging work. The most valuable information, however, is learning that I am not wasting my time in college. I really have been having fun and I have learned how right of a fit the art world is for me.

3. You are about to enter your Junior year at Mt. Saint Joseph, besides majoring in Art History you are also majoring in Fine Arts with a concentration in photography. Being that you were already an artsy photographer, how has what you learned in college impacted your work?

It has taught me a lot about craft, and being more careful with how you execute a desired message or aesthetic. Intention and composition should be married. They should act as one in the same for success. College has taught me not only the value of this, but also how to employ this idea.

4. What artists most influence your work?

This is a very tough question. I like a lot of artists, but I am not sure who influences me the most. I can say that many of the fantasy artists, like Alan Lee, influence the darker style that I seem to enjoy. The strong contrasts that I use have been influenced by artists like Caravaggio. Over all I can say the world I live in influences me the most though.

5. If you were granted one wish, what would you wish for?

If I had one wish I would wish to switch bodies with a boy for one day. I have some gender myths I want to break.

5. Give me a list of 5 more exotic locations you would like to photograph:

M: Galapagos Islands, Taj Mahal, Petra, Japan, more of Africa and South America

P: Mmmmm, will they be the same? The Kalahari Desert in Namibia, the Galapagos islands as an homage to Charles Darwin, Nepal, Petra, and the Amazon.

If you have always wanted to go to an art show without all the stuffiness that usually comes with them, this is a show to see. We have monthly shows at Arnold's and we would like to thank Bret & Ronda Androski for allowing us to continue invading their upstairs once a month.

Directions and menu and all sorts of great information to be found on their website~

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

I sat down over the internet to interview the busiest member of the Misfits group. I dare you to say otherwise!

1. List your gear.

Like some photographer friends, I am becoming an “equipment junkie.” I own and use several Nikon digital SLR cameras, the main ones being the D300s and D90. I still shoot occasionally with one of my film SLRs (two Nikons and a Yashica TL Electro).

Of my “collection” of several lenses, my favorites are the Nikkor 18-200mm and the 105mm macro. I use typical accessories, such as flash and tripods, and studio equipment that I set up for portraits.

2. Tell us how you got started in Photography.

I have had some kind of camera since I was about seven—Brownie, Instamatic—remember those? Because my grandfather published a weekly newspaper, I got “exposed” to good cameras. My mother shot photos for the paper, using an old bellows-type camera. I spent some time in the darkroom, watching my younger cousin develop film. Later, when we both were in college, he helped me pick out my first serious camera, the Yashica I mentioned. With the exception of a built-in light meter, it is totally manual, and because of this, I was able to learn a great deal about using a camera.

3. You are a musician and a teacher and photographer - do you ever get to combine the three? or two of the three?

For the past couple years, I have taught some photography classes at my middle school. We use point and shoot digitals, but occasionally I let a student who shows interest try out my Nikon D50. I also have made photos of students and events around the school for use in the school yearbook.

Combining photography with music is a bit more difficult, simply because I usually am participating in the music. However, I have shot musical events at my church, such as children’s choir camp and music workshops.

4. A lot of us know you as the PomMom - do your pups like their picture taken or do you have to bribe them to get a shot?

I am convinced that Gizmo was a convict in a former life. If he sees a lens pointed at him, he immediately turns to the side! I have learned, however, that bribery is very effective. In a couple of “formal” photo shoots with him, he posed willingly as long as treats were involved. Kira does not seem to mind being photographed, but I haven’t tried a formal shoot with her yet.

5. You show a lot of your work locally. How did you get started with networking with the businesses in your area and have you had many sales?

Often it is a right place/right time situation, and several of these developed at about the same time that got the ball rolling for me. When the Fusion Gallery opened in Bellevue, the owners took an interest in my work and offered room for some of my pieces. That led to other venues in town.

Through a dining group, I met an artist whose studio is in the Essex. She has graciously given me space there to display my work, and I have been able to show at a couple other venues because of contacts made through her.

I have participated in a women’s art exhibit at Christ Church Cathedral and have done a solo show there. I also began portrait photography when several friends from there asked me to do head shots for them. Later I was asked to do other portraits for the cathedral.

The Capture Cincinnati contest of several years ago probably had the greatest impact on my work. Through it, I met many local photographers and became involved with photography groups such as the Ohio Valley Camera Club and Misfits with Cameras. These groups have provided opportunities to exhibit, and their members have shared information, techniques, and advice that have helped me improve my work.

As someone who works full-time at another job—and participates in three musical ensembles, I don’t have as much time as I would like to promote my work.Considering the current economy, however, I have been fairly pleased with sales, having sold one or more pieces at most of the places I’ve exhibited. I’ve also sold online via Fine Art America and my own website for Constance Sanders Photography.

Connie will be showing her work this Saturday night at Arnold's Bar & Grill at the June Misfits With Cameras exhibit from 6-9 pm on the second floor.